Virgin Audi FE supply deal a "multi-year" arrangement

The British team, which split with DS Automobiles after three seasons using the French manufacturer’s FE powertrains at the end of the 2017/18 championship, will use Audi’s e-tron FE05 cars from the start of season five.

“After four fantastic seasons securing seven wins and 19 podiums, and recently, a successful partnership with DS Automobiles, we have opted to take a new direction for the next generation of Formula E,” said Virgin Racing’s managing director Sylvain Filippi.

“From the outset, it was always the team’s intention to partner with an OEM as Virgin’s core business areas don’t involve the production of automobiles.

“With Audi Sport together with the drive of our majority team owner Envision, we feel this is the perfect partnership to ensure we continue fighting at the front of the grid.”

The deal is Audi’s first customer supply arrangement in Formula E.

The German manufacturer produced what was widely perceived to be the most-efficient car in 2017/18 – Audi’s first season as a works FE entry – but had to fight back from a disastrous start to the championship after its early races were blighted by reliability issues.